The Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) is an insect in the Lestidae family of slender damselflies. It is also known as the Common Spreadwing. It is similar to the dragonfly.
The Emerald Damselfly has a metallic green colour. Its body is long and cyclindrical. The adult male has a powder blue colour on the prothorax and near its tail. The adult male also has large blue eyes. The female lacks the blue colour.
It grows to about 3-4 centimetres (1-1.5 inches) in length. The wingspan is about 2 centimetres (about 1 inch).
It is common across central Europe and Asia. It prefers to be near ponds and lakes, but not running or fast-flowing water. It is commonly seen in July and August. It likes to perch among reeds.
It is not a strong flyer. It is more likely to be seen on misty, rainy days than other species of damselfly. When it rests, it spreads its wings, which is the reason why it is called Spreadwing.
It can be seen in large groups of several hundred individuals.
The female Emerald Damselfly usually lays eggs in vegetation underwater. The eggs develop over the next few weeks. Then, due to changing environmental conditions, the development of the eggs slows down, which is called diapause.
The eggs hatch into prolarvae and larvae. The larvae become adult damselflies. Both the male and female young are green with green-brown eyes.
Location of photographs: Paris, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM